Package and package-on-package structure having elliptical columns and ellipsoid joint terminals

ABSTRACT

A package includes a die, a plurality of conductive structures, an encapsulant, and a redistribution structure. The die has an active surface and a rear surface opposite to the active surface. The conductive structures surround the die. The conductive structures include elliptical columns. The encapsulant encapsulates the die and the conductive structures. The redistribution structure is over the active surface of the die and the encapsulant. The redistribution structure is electrically connected to the die and the conductive structures.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation application of and claims the priority benefit ofU.S. application Ser. No. 15/925,790, filed on Mar. 20, 2018, nowallowed. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application ishereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of thisspecification.

BACKGROUND

The semiconductor industry has experienced rapid growth due tocontinuous improvements in the integration density of various electroniccomponents (e.g., transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, etc.). Forthe most part, this improvement in integration density has come fromrepeated reductions in minimum feature size, which allows more of thesmaller components to be integrated into a given area. These smallerelectronic components also require smaller packages that utilize lessarea than previous packages. Currently, integrated fan-out packages arebecoming increasingly popular for their compactness. How to ensure thereliability of the integrated fan-out packages has become a challenge inthe field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It isnoted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry,various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of thevarious features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity ofdiscussion.

FIG. 1A to FIG. 1L are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating amanufacturing process of a package and a package-on-package (PoP)structure in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D are schematic top views illustrating variousarrangements of the conductive structures in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the manufacturing step depicted in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view illustrating the stencil and theelliptical openings of the dielectric layer in FIG. 1I.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic top views illustrating variousarrangement of the joint terminals in FIG. 1K.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, orexamples, for implementing different features of the provided subjectmatter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are describedbelow to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merelyexamples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formationof a first feature over or on a second feature in the description thatfollows may include embodiments in which the first and second featuresare formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in whichadditional features may be formed between the first and second features,such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Inaddition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/orletters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose ofsimplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationshipbetween the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,”“above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degreesor at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors usedherein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

Other features and processes may also be included. For example, testingstructures may be included to aid in the verification testing of the 3Dpackaging or 3DIC devices. The testing structures may include, forexample, test pads formed in a redistribution layer or on a substratethat allows the testing of the 3D packaging or 3DIC, the use of probesand/or probe cards, and the like. The verification testing may beperformed on intermediate structures as well as the final structure.Additionally, the structures and methods disclosed herein may be used inconjunction with testing methodologies that incorporate intermediateverification of known good dies to increase the yield and decreasecosts.

FIG. 1A to FIG. 1L are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating amanufacturing process of a package 10 and a package-on-package (PoP)structure 1000 in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.Referring to FIG. 1A, a carrier C having a de-bonding layer DB and adielectric layer 100 stacked thereon is provided. In some embodiments,the de-bonding layer DB is formed on the upper surface of the carrier C,and the de-bonding layer DB is between the carrier C and the dielectriclayer 100. For example, the carrier C may be a glass substrate and thede-bonding layer DB may be a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) releaselayer formed on the glass substrate. However, the disclosure is notlimited thereto, and other suitable materials may be adapted for thecarrier C and the de-bonding layer DB. In some embodiments, a materialof the dielectric layer 100 includes polyimide (PI), epoxy resin,acrylic resin, phenol resin, benzocyclobutene (BCB), polybenzooxazole(PBO), or any other suitable polymer-based dielectric material. Thedielectric layer 100, for example, may be formed by suitable fabricationtechniques such as spin-on coating, chemical vapor deposition (CVD),plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), or the like. In someembodiments, the dielectric layer 100 may have adhesion property toadhere the subsequently formed elements.

Referring to FIG. 1B, a plurality of conductive structures 200 and a die300 are formed over the dielectric layer 100. In some embodiments, thedie 300 is picked and placed onto the dielectric layer 100. The die 300,for example, includes a semiconductor substrate 310, a plurality ofconductive pads 320, a passivation layer 330, a post passivation layer340, a plurality of conductive vias 350, and a protection layer 360. Insome embodiments, the conductive pads 320 are disposed over thesemiconductor substrate 310. The passivation layer 330 is formed overthe semiconductor substrate 310 and has contact openings that partiallyexpose the conductive pads 320. The semiconductor substrate 310 may be asilicon substrate including active components (e.g., transistors or thelike) and passive components (e.g., resistors, capacitors, inductors, orthe like) formed therein. The conductive pads 320 may be aluminum pads,copper pads, or other suitable metal pads. The passivation layer 330 maybe a silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxy-nitridelayer, or a dielectric layer formed by other suitable dielectricmaterials. Furthermore, the post-passivation layer 340 is formed overthe passivation layer 330. The post-passivation layer 340 covers thepassivation layer 330 and has a plurality of contact openings. Theconductive pads 320 are partially exposed by the contact openings of thepost passivation layer 340. The post-passivation layer 340 may be a PIlayer, a PBO layer, or a dielectric layer formed by other suitablepolymers. In addition, the conductive vias 350 are formed on theconductive pads 320. In some embodiments, the conductive vias 350 areplated on the conductive pads 320. The protection layer 360 is formed onthe post-passivation layer 340 to cover the conductive vias 350.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the die 300 has a rear surface 300 a and afront surface 300 b opposite to the rear surface 300 a. In someembodiments, the rear surface 300 a of the die 300 is attached (oradhered) to the dielectric layer 100 through a die attach film (DAF; notshown). On the other hand, the front surface 300 b of the die 300 facesupward and is exposed. Although one die 300 is illustrated in FIG. 1B,it construes no limitation in the disclosure. In some alternativeembodiments, more than one dies 300 may be picked and placed onto thedielectric layer 100.

The conductive structures 200 are formed to surround the die 300. Insome embodiments, the method of forming the conductive structures 200includes the following steps. First, a seed material layer (not shown)is formed over the dielectric layer 100. In some embodiments, the seedmaterial layer includes a titanium/copper composite layer formed by asputtering process. Subsequently, a photoresist layer (not shown) withopenings is formed on the seed material layer. The openings of thephotoresist layer expose the intended locations for the subsequentlyformed conductive structures 200. Thereafter, a plating process isperformed to form a metal material layer (e.g., a copper layer) on theseed material layer exposed by the openings of the photoresist layer.The photoresist layer and the underlying seed material layer are thenremoved to form the conductive structures 200. However, the disclosureis not limited thereto. In some alternative embodiments, the conductivestructures 200 may be formed by pick and place pre-fabricated conductivestructures onto the dielectric layer 100. In some embodiments, a heightof the conductive structures 200 may be 100 μm to 200 μm.

In some embodiments, the geometry and the arrangement of the conductivestructures 200 play significant roles in ensuring the reliability of thesubsequently formed package 10. The configuration of the conductivestructures 200 will be described in detail below in conjunction withFIG. 2A to FIG. 2D.

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D are schematic top views illustrating variousarrangements of the conductive structures 200 in FIG. 1B. Referring toFIG. 1B and FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, the conductive structures 200may be constituted by a plurality of first conductive structures 200 aand a plurality of second conductive structures 200 b. In someembodiments, the first conductive structures 200 a include cylindricalcolumns and the second conductive structures 200 b include ellipticalcolumns. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, a top view of the first conductivestructures 200 a exhibit a circular shape while a top view of the secondconductive structures 200 b exhibit an elliptical shape. In other words,a cross-section of the first conductive structures 200 a parallel to therear surface 300 a of the die 300 is a circle and a cross-section of thesecond conductive structures 200 b parallel to the rear surface 300 a ofthe die 300 is an ellipse. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the ellipse (thecross-section of the second conductive structure 200 b) has a long-axis200 b 1 and a short-axis 200 b 2. In some embodiments, a ratio of thelong-axis 200 b 1 to the short-axis 200 b 2 is greater than 1 and lessthan 8.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the second conductive structures 200 b aredisposed closer to the die 300 than the first conductive structures 200a. For example, the second conductive structures 200 b may be disposedto encircle the die 300 in a radial manner, and the first conductivestructures 200 a may be disposed to surround the second conductivestructures 200 b. In some embodiments, some of the second conductivestructures 200 b are arranged to be tilted with respect to extendingdirections of the sidewalls of the die 300. For example, the die 300 maybe a parallelogram having four sides S1-S4 connected to each other. Theside S1 and the side S3 extend along a first direction D1 while the sideS2 and the side S4 extend along a second direction D2. The firstdirection D1 is perpendicular to the second direction D2. In someembodiments, the long-axis 200 b 1 of the ellipse (the cross-section ofthe second conductive structures 200 b) forms an included angle θ_(a) of0° to 90° with the first direction D1. In some embodiments, thelong-axis 200 b 1 of the ellipse (the cross-section of the secondconductive structures 200 b) forms an included angle θ_(b) of 0° to 90°with the second direction D2 In other words, the long-axes 200 b 1 ofthe cross-sections of the second conductive structures 200 b are alignedwith virtual lines extending radially outward from a center of the die300 toward edges of the package 10 formed subsequently.

Referring to FIG. 2B, an alternative configuration of the conductivestructures 200 is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the firstconductive structures 200 a (cylindrical columns) are arranged into aplurality of first conductive structure arrays A_(200a) and the secondconductive structures 200 b (elliptical columns) are arranged into aplurality of second conductive structure arrays A_(200b). In someembodiments, the second conductive structure arrays A_(200b) aredisposed next to the sides S1-S4 of the die 300 and the first conductivestructure arrays A_(200a) are disposed next to four corners of the die300. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, each of the secondconductive structure arrays A_(200b) is sandwiched between two adjacentfirst conductive structure arrays A_(200a). In some embodiments, thelong-axes 200 b 1 of the cross-sections of the second conductivestructures 200 b (elliptical columns) arranged next to the sides S1 andS3 (extending along the first direction D1) are parallel to the seconddirection D2. Similarly, the long-axes 200 b 1 of the cross-sections ofthe second conductive structures 200 b (elliptical columns) arrangednext to the sides S2 and S4 (extending along the second direction D2)are parallel to the first direction D1. In other words, in someembodiments, the second conductive structures 200 b are not arranged ina radial manner around the die 300. However, the foregoing arrangementconstrues no limitation in the disclosure. In some alternativeembodiments, the first conductive structures 200 a and the secondconductive structures 200 b may be arranged in a manner similar to theconfiguration depicted in FIG. 2B except the second conductivestructures 200 b in the second conductive structure arrays A_(200b) aretilted with respect to the extending direction of the sidewalls of thedie 300. In other words, the second conductive structures 200 b in thesecond conductive structure arrays A_(200b) may be arranged in a radialmanner around the die 300.

Referring to FIG. 2C, an alternative configuration of the conductivestructures 200 is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the configurationof the conductive structures 200 is similar to that of FIG. 2A exceptall of the conductive structures 200 are elliptical columns. Forexample, some of the conductive structures 200 are arranged to be tiltedwith respect to the extending direction of the sidewalls of the die 300.In some embodiments, the long-axis 200 b 1 of the ellipse (thecross-section of the conductive structures 200) forms an included angleθ_(a) of 0° to 90° with the first direction D1. In some embodiments, thelong-axis 200 b 1 of the ellipse (the cross-section of the conductivestructures 200) forms an included angle θ_(b) of 0° to 90° with thesecond direction D2 In other words, the long-axes 200 b 1 of thecross-sections of the conductive structures 200 are aligned with virtuallines extending radially outward from a center of the die 300 towardedges of the package 10 formed subsequently.

Referring to FIG. 2D, an alternative configuration of the conductivestructures 200 is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 2D, the conductivestructures 200 disposed on two opposite sides (i.e. the sides S1 and S3)of the die 300 are arranged along a same direction. On the other hand,the conductive structures 200 disposed on another two opposite sides(i.e. the sides S2 and S4) of the die 300 are arranged along anotherdirection. For example, the long-axes 200 b 1 of the cross-sections ofthe conductive structures 200 arranged by the sides S1 and S3 areparallel to the second direction D2. Similarly, the long-axes 200 b 1 ofthe cross-sections of the conductive structures 200 arranged by thesides S2 and S4 are parallel to the first direction D1. In other words,the conductive structures 200 are not arranged in a radial manner aroundthe die 300. The conductive structures 200 are arranged to havelong-axes 200 b 1 either parallel or perpendicular to the firstdirection D1.

In some embodiments, the conductive structures 200 are not limited toconductive columns having straight sidewalls. For example, in somealternative embodiments, the conductive structures 200 may includeconductive posts having tapered sidewalls. The conductive structures 200having tapered sidewalls will be discussed below in conjunction withFIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the manufacturing step depicted in FIG. 1B. Referring toFIG. 3, in some embodiments, the conductive structures 200′ includeconical frustums. In some embodiments, each of the conductive structures200′ (conical frustums) has a top surface T_(200′) and a bottom surfaceB_(200′). The bottom surface B_(200′) is attached to the dielectriclayer 100. On the other hand, the top surface T_(200′) faces upward andis exposed. In some embodiments, the top surface T_(200′) and the bottomsurface B_(200′) are circular, and a diameter d1 of the top surfaceT_(200′) is smaller than a diameter d2 of the bottom surface B_(200′).For example, a ratio of the diameter d1 of the top surface T_(200′) tothe diameter d2 of the bottom surface B_(200′) may be greater than 0.5and less than 1. In other words, an area of the bottom surface B_(200′)is larger than an area of the top surface T_(200′). In some embodiments,the conductive structures 200′ may be constituted by cylindrical columnsand conical frustums. For example, the conductive structures 200′ may bearranged in a manner similar to the configurations illustrated in FIG.2A or FIG. 2B. In other words, the conical frustums may be arrangedcloser to the die 300 than the cylindrical columns. Alternatively, theconical frustums may be arranged next to sides S1-S4 of the die 300 andthe cylindrical columns may be arranged next to four corners of the die300. In some embodiments, the conductive structures 200′ may beconstituted by elliptical columns, cylindrical columns, and conicalfrustums. In some alternative embodiments, the conductive structures200′ may be a combination of elliptical columns and conical frustums. Insome alternative embodiments, all of the conductive structures 200′ maybe conical frustums.

Referring back to FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the conductivestructures 200 may be formed prior to the placement of the die 300.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some alternativeembodiments, the die 300 may be placed before the conductive structures200 are formed on the dielectric layer 100. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, atop surface of the die 300 is lower than top surfaces of the conductivestructures 200. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In somealternative embodiments, the top surface of the die 300 may besubstantially coplanar with the top surfaces of the conductivestructures 200.

Referring to FIG. 1C, an encapsulation material 400 is formed on thedielectric layer 100 to encapsulate the conductive structure 200 and thedie 300. The conductive structures 200 and the protection layer 360 ofthe die 300 are encapsulated by the encapsulation material 400. In otherwords, the conductive structures 200 and the protection layer 360 of thedie 300 are not revealed and are well protected by the encapsulationmaterial 400. In some embodiments, the encapsulation material 400 is amolding compound, a molding underfill, a resin (such as epoxy), or thelike. The encapsulation material 400 may be formed by a molding process,such as a compression molding process. In some embodiments, theencapsulation material 400 is applied to a location close to the die 300from above the structure illustrated in FIG. 1B. Thereafter, a top mold(not shown) is placed over the encapsulation material 400. Subsequently,a force is applied onto the top mold such that the encapsulationmaterial 400 flows from the location close to the die 300 toward theplace where the conductive structures 200 are located to encapsulate thedie 300 and the conductive structures 200. In some embodiments, sincethe encapsulation material 400 flows from where the die 300 is locatedradially outward toward the conductive structures 200, the conductivestructures 200 are subjected to torque forces generated from the flow ofthe encapsulation material 400. If the geometry or the arrangement ofthe conductive structures is not competent to resist the torque force,the conductive structures may be pushed by the encapsulation materialand collapse. The collapsed conductive structures are not able to servethe function of electrically connecting the components on front-side andback-side of the package structure, thereby causing connection fail inthe device. Nevertheless, as discussed above in conjunction with FIGS.2A-2D and 3, at least a portion of the conductive structures 200includes elliptical column or conical frustums. In some embodiments, thegeometry of elliptical columns and the geometry of the conical frustumallow these structures to have stronger resistance against the torqueforce. In some embodiments, by aligning the long-axes of thecross-sections of the elliptical columns with the travel direction ofthe torque force, the resistance against the torque force may be furtherenhanced. As such, by adapting the elliptical columns and/or the conicalfrustum as the conductive structures 200 and by disposing the conductivestructures 200 with a certain orientation, the reliability of thepackage 10 formed subsequently may be ensured.

Referring to FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, the encapsulation material 400 and theprotection layer 360 of the die 300 are grinded until top surfaces ofthe conductive vias 350 are exposed. After the encapsulation material400 is grinded, an encapsulant 400 a is formed over the dielectric layer100 to encapsulate the die 300 and the conductive structures 200. Insome embodiments, the encapsulation material 400 is grinded by amechanical grinding process and/or a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP)process. In some embodiments, during the grinding process of theencapsulation material 400, the protection layer 360 is grinded toreveal the conductive vias 350. In some embodiments, portions of theconductive vias 350 and portions of the conductive structures 200 areslightly grinded as well. After grinding, the die 300 has an activesurface 300 c and a rear surface 300 a opposite to the active surface300 c. The exposed portion of the conductive vias 350 is located on theactive surface 300 c of the die 300.

The encapsulant 400 a encapsulates sidewalls of the die 300, and theencapsulant 400 a is penetrated by the conductive structures 200. Inother words, the die 300 and the conductive structures 200 are embeddedin the encapsulant 400 a. It is noted that top surfaces of theconductive structures 200, a top surface of the protection layer 360,and the top surfaces of the conductive vias 350 are substantiallycoplanar with a top surface of the encapsulant 400 a.

Referring to FIG. 1E, a redistribution structure 500 electricallyconnected to the conductive vias 350 of the die 300 and the conductivestructures 200 is formed on the top surfaces of the conductivestructures 200, the top surface of the encapsulant 400 a, the topsurfaces of the conductive vias 350, and the top surface of theprotection layer 360. In other words, the redistribution structure 500is formed on the active surface 300 c of the die 300. In someembodiments, the redistribution structures 500 includes a plurality ofinter-dielectric layers 500 a and a plurality of redistributionconductive layers 500 b stacked alternately. The redistributionconductive layers 500 b are electrically connected to the conductivevias 350 of the die 300 and the conductive structures 200 embedded inthe encapsulant 400 a. In some embodiments, the top surfaces of theconductive vias 350 and the top surfaces of the conductive structures200 are in contact with the bottommost redistribution conductive layer500 b of the redistribution structure 500. In some embodiments, the topsurfaces of the conductive vias 350 and the top surfaces of theconductive structures 200 are partially covered by the bottommostinter-dielectric layer 500 a. As illustrated in FIG. 1E, the topmostredistribution conductive layer 500 b includes a plurality of pads. Insome embodiments, the above-mentioned pads include a plurality ofunder-ball metallurgy (UBM) patterns 500 b 1 for ball mount and/or atleast one connection pads 500 b 2 for mounting of passive components.The number of the inter-dielectric layers 500 a and the redistributionconductive layers 500 b is not limited in the disclosure. In someembodiments, the configurations of the UBM patterns 500 b 1 and theconnection pads 500 b 2 may be determined based on circuit design.

Referring to FIG. 1F, after the redistribution structure 500 is formed,a plurality of conductive terminals 600 are placed on the UBM patterns500 b 1 and a plurality of passive components 700 are mounted on theconnection pads 500 b 2. In some embodiments, the conductive terminal600 includes solder ball. On the other hand, the passive component 700is, for example, a capacitor, a resistor, an inductor, an antenna, thelike, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the conductiveterminals 600 may be placed on the UBM patterns 500 b 1 through a ballplacement process and the passive components 700 may be mounted on theconnection pads 500 b 2 through a soldering process and/or a reflowingprocess.

Referring to FIG. 1F and FIG. 1G, after the conductive terminals 600 andthe passive components 700 are mounted on the redistribution structure500, the dielectric layer 100 formed on the bottom surface of theencapsulant 400 a is de-bonded from the de-bonding layer DB such thatthe dielectric layer 100 is separated from the carrier C. In someembodiments, the de-bonding layer DB (e.g., the LTHC release layer) maybe irradiated by an UV laser such that the dielectric layer 100 adheredon the bottom surface of the encapsulant 400 a may be peeled off fromthe carrier C.

Referring to FIG. 1G and FIG. 1H, the structure illustrated in FIG. 1Gis flipped upside down and is placed onto a tape TP. Thereafter, thedielectric layer 100 on the encapsulant 400 a and the rear surface 300 aof the die 300 is patterned to form a dielectric layer 102 having aplurality of elliptical openings OP. The elliptical openings OP at leastpartially expose the conductive structures 200. In some embodiments, thenumber of the elliptical openings OP corresponds to the number of theconductive structures 200. However, the disclosure is not limitedthereto. In some alternative embodiments, the number of the ellipticalopenings OP may be more than the number of the conductive structures200. For example, extra elliptical openings OP may be formed to exposethe rear surface 300 a of the die 300 for future dummy joint terminalformation. In some embodiments, the elliptical openings OP of thedielectric layer 102 are formed by a laser drilling process.

Referring to FIG. 1I, a stencil ST is placed over the dielectric layer102. FIG. 4 is a schematic top view illustrating the stencil ST and theelliptical openings OP of the dielectric layer 102 in FIG. 1I. Therelative configuration of the stencil ST and the dielectric layer 102will be described below in conjunction with FIG. 1I and FIG. 4.Referring to FIG. 1I and FIG. 4, the stencil ST has a plurality ofelliptical apertures AP. In some embodiments, a shape of the ellipticalapertures AP of the stencil ST corresponds to a shape of the ellipticalopenings OP of the dielectric layer 102. For example, both of theelliptical apertures AP and the elliptical openings OP may have a shapeof ellipse from a top view. In some embodiments, a profile of theelliptical apertures AP is conformal with a profile of the ellipticalopenings OP. In some embodiments, the elliptical apertures AP of thestencil ST is smaller than or equal to the size of the ellipticalopenings OP of the dielectric layer 102. For example, the ellipticalopenings OP may have a diameter (long-axis) of 100 μm to 200 μm whilethe elliptical apertures AP may have a diameter (long-axis) of 70 μm to200 μm. In some embodiments, the stencil ST is placed over thedielectric layer 102 such that the elliptical apertures AP and theelliptical openings OP are coaxial. As illustrated in FIG. 4, theelliptical openings OP and the elliptical apertures AP expose at least aportion of each conductive structure 200. In some embodiments, athickness of the stencil ST ranges from 50 μm to 150 μm.

Referring to FIG. 1J, a conductive paste 800 is applied onto the exposedportion of the conductive structures 200. For example, the conductivepaste 800 is applied onto the stencil ST by a dispenser (not shown).Subsequently, a squeegee (not shown) may be adapted to scrape theconductive paste 800 into the elliptical apertures AP of the stencil andthe elliptical openings OP of the dielectric layer 102. In other words,the conductive paste 800 is filled into the elliptical openings OP ofthe dielectric layer 102 and the elliptical apertures AP of the stencilST. In some embodiments, the elliptical nature of the ellipticalopenings OP and the elliptical apertures AP shapes the conductive paste800 filled therein to a shape of elliptical column/elliptical tablet. Insome embodiments, the conductive paste 800 may include solder paste orother suitable pastes.

Referring to FIG. 1J and FIG. 1K, the stencil ST is then removed, andthe conductive paste 800 is cured to form a plurality of joint terminals802 in the elliptical openings OP. In some embodiments, the curingprocess of the conductive paste 800 may include a reflowing process. Asillustrated in FIG. 1K, the joint terminals 802 include ellipsoids. Insome embodiments, the joint terminals 802 protrude from the surface ofthe dielectric layer 102 for future electrical connection. At thisstage, the package 10 is substantially completed.

In some embodiments, the geometry and the arrangement of the jointterminals 802 play significant roles in ensuring the reliability of thesubsequently formed PoP structure 1000. The configuration of the jointterminals 802 will be described in detail below in conjunction with FIG.5A and FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic top views illustrating variousarrangement of the joint terminals 802 in FIG. 1K. Referring to FIG. 1Kand FIG. 5A, the top view of each joint terminal 802 exhibits anelliptical shape. In other words, a cross-section of the joint terminals802 parallel to the rear surface 300 a of the die 300 is an ellipse. Asillustrated in FIG. 5A, the ellipse (the cross-section of the jointterminals 802) has a long-axis 802 a 1 and a short-axis 802 a 2. In someembodiments, a ratio of the short-axis 802 a 2 of the cross-section tothe long-axis 802 a 1 of the cross-section ranges between 0.2 and 0.9 orbetween 1.1 and 3.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the joint terminals 802 disposed on two oppositesides (i.e. the sides S1 and S3) of the die 300 are arranged along asame direction. On the other hand, the joint terminals 802 disposed onanother two opposite sides (i.e. the sides S2 and S4) of the die 300 arearranged along another direction. For example, the long-axes 802 a 1 ofthe cross-sections of the joint terminals 802 arranged by the sides S1and S3 are parallel to the second direction D2. Similarly, the long-axes802 a 1 of the cross-sections of the joint terminals 802 arranged by thesides S2 and S4 are parallel to the first direction D1. In other words,the joint terminals 802 are arranged to have long-axes 802 a 1 eitherparallel or perpendicular to the first direction D1.

Referring to FIG. 5B, an alternative configuration of the jointterminals 802 is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, some of the jointterminals 802 are arranged to be tilted with respect to the extendingdirection of the sidewalls of the die 300. In some embodiments, thelong-axis 802 a 1 of the ellipse (the cross-section of the jointterminals 802) forms an included angle of 0° to 90° with the firstdirection D1. In some embodiments, the long-axis 802 a 1 of the ellipse(the cross-section of the joint terminals 802) forms an included angleof 0° to 90° with the second direction D2. As illustrated in FIG. 5B,the joint terminals 802 are arranged into a plurality of first jointterminal arrays A1, a plurality of second joint terminal arrays A2, anda plurality of third joint terminal arrays A3. In some embodiments, thethird joint terminal arrays A3 are disposed above a region next to thesides S1 and S3 of the die 300, and the second joint terminals arrays A2are disposed above a region next to sides S2 and S4 of the die 300. Onthe other hand, the first joint terminal arrays A1 may be disposed abovea region next to four corners of the die 300. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 5B, each of the second joint terminal arrays A2 aresandwiched between two adjacent first joint terminal arrays A1.Similarly, each of the third joint terminal arrays A3 are sandwichedbetween two adjacent first joint terminal arrays A1.

In some embodiments, the first direction D1 and the long-axis 802 a 1 ofthe cross-section of each joint terminal 802 of the first joint terminalarrays A1 forms a first included angle θ₁. On the other hand, the firstdirection D1 and the long-axis 802 a 1 of the cross-section of eachjoint terminals 802 of the second joint terminal arrays A2 forms asecond included angle θ₂. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, in someembodiments, since the joint terminals 802 of the first joint terminalarrays A1 are arranged to be more tilted than the joint terminals 802 ofthe second joint terminal arrays A2 with respect to the first directionD1, the first included angle θ₁ is larger than the second included angleθ₂. For example, the first included angle θ₁ may range between 0° and80° and the second included angle θ₂ may range between 0° and 45°. Insome embodiments, the second direction D2 and the long-axis 802 a 1 ofthe cross-section of each joint terminal 802 of the first joint terminalarrays A1 forms a third included angle θ₃. On the other hand, the seconddirection D2 and the long-axis 802 a 1 of the cross-section of eachjoint terminals 802 of the third joint terminal arrays A3 forms a fourthincluded angle θ₄. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, in some embodiments, sincethe joint terminals 802 of the first joint terminal arrays A1 arearranged to be more tilted than the joint terminals 802 of the thirdjoint terminal arrays A3 with respect to the second direction D2, thethird included angle θ₃ is larger than the fourth included angle θ₄. Forexample, the third included angle θ₃ may range between 0° and 80° andthe fourth included angle θ₄ may range between 0° and 45°. In someembodiments, the long-axes 802 a 1 of the cross-sections of the jointterminals 802 are aligned with virtual lines extending radially outwardfrom a center of the die 300 toward edges of the package 10.

In some embodiments, an orientation of the joint terminals 802 maycorrespond to orientation of the conductive structures 200. In someembodiments, in a case where the joint terminals 802 are ellipsoids andthe conductive structures 200 are elliptical columns, the long-axes 802a 1 of the cross-section of the joint terminals 802 may be parallel toor aligned with the long-axes 200 b 1 of the cross-section of thecorresponding conductive structures 200. For example, the configurationof joint terminals 802 illustrated in FIG. 5A is similar to theconfiguration of conductive structures 200 illustrated in FIG. 2D, andthe configuration of joint terminals 802 illustrated in FIG. 5B issimilar to the configuration of the conductive structures 200illustrated in FIG. 2C.

Although FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrated that the joint terminals 802are not formed directly above the die 300, the disclosure is not limitedthereto. As mentioned above, during the step of FIG. 1H, extraelliptical openings OP may be formed to expose the rear surface 300 a ofthe die 300. In some alternative embodiments, a plurality of dummy jointterminals (not shown) may be formed in these extra elliptical openingsOP over the die 300. The dummy joint terminal may further strengthen thebonding between the package 10 and other subsequently formed elementsover the joint terminals 802 and the dummy joint terminals, therebyenhancing the mechanical strength between the two.

Moreover, although the steps shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1K are directed toan integrated fan-out (InFO) package as an exemplary illustration, thedisclosure is not limited thereto. In some alternative embodiments, theformation method and the configurations of the joint terminals 802 shownin FIGS. 1H-1K, 4, 5A-5B may be adapted in other types of packagestructures. For example, a Chip on Wafer on Substrate (CoWoS) packagemay also utilize the steps shown in FIGS. 1H-1K, 4, 5A-5B to form jointterminals.

Referring to FIG. 1L, a sub-package 20 is stacked on the package 10 toobtain a package-on-package (PoP) structure 1000. In some embodiments,the package 10 may be referred to as the first package and thesub-package 20 may be referred to as the second package. As mentionedabove, the package 10 may include an InFO package, a CoWoS package, orother types of packages. In some embodiments, the sub-package 20 is, forexample, a memory device or other IC packages. In some embodiments, thesub-package 20 is electrically connected to the package 10 through thejoint terminals 802. In some embodiments, after the sub-package 20 isstacked on the package 10, a reflowing process is further performed.During the stacking process and/or the reflowing process, stress may begenerated to cause cold joint defect, thereby compromising thereliability of the PoP structure. In some embodiments, the stress emitsradially outward from a center towards edges of the PoP structure. Asshown in FIGS. 1H-1K, 4, 5A-5B, the joint terminals 802 are formed asellipsoids with various orientations. In some embodiments, the geometryand the orientation of ellipsoids allow the joint terminals 802 torelease the stress generated during the stacking process and/or thereflowing process. As such, by adapting ellipsoids with certainorientation as the joint terminals 802, the reliability of the PoPstructure 1000 is ensured. It should be noted that although onesub-package 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1L, the number of the sub-package20 is not limited thereto. In some alternative embodiments, more thanone sub-packages may be stacked on the package simultaneously to formthe PoP structure.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, a packageincludes a die, a plurality of first conductive structures, a pluralityof second conductive structures, an encapsulant, and a redistributionstructure. The die has an active surface and a rear surface opposite tothe active surface. The first conductive structures and the secondconductive structures surround the die. The first conductive structuresinclude cylindrical columns and the second conductive structures includeelliptical columns or conical frustums. The encapsulant encapsulates thedie, the first conductive structures, and the second conductivestructures. The redistribution structure is over the active surface ofthe die and the encapsulant. The redistribution structure iselectrically connected to the die, the first conductive structures, andthe second conductive structures.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, apackage-on-package (PoP) structure includes a first package and a secondpackage. The first package includes a die, a plurality of conductivestructures, an encapsulant, a redistribution structure, a dielectriclayer, and a plurality of joint terminals. The die has an active surfaceand a rear surface opposite to the active surface. The conductivestructures surround the die and include elliptical columns. Theencapsulant encapsulates the die and the conductive structures. Theredistribution structure is over the active surface of the die, theconductive structures, and the encapsulant. The dielectric layer is overthe encapsulant and the rear surface of the die. The dielectric layerexposes the conductive structures. The joint terminals are disposed onthe conductive structures and includes ellipsoids. The second package ison the first package. The second package is electrically connected tothe first package through the joint terminals.

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, a method ofmanufacturing a package-on-package (PoP) structure includes at least thefollowing steps. A first package is formed. The method of forming thefirst package includes at least the following steps. A carrier having adielectric layer formed thereon is provided. A die and a plurality ofconductive structures are formed on the dielectric layer. The die has anactive surface and a rear surface opposite to the active surface. Theconductive structures surround the die. The conductive structuresinclude elliptical columns. The die and the conductive structures areencapsulated by an encapsulant. A redistribution structure is formed onthe active surface of the die, the conductive structures, and theencapsulant. The carrier is separated from the dielectric layer. Aplurality of elliptical openings is formed in the dielectric layer toexpose the conductive structures. A plurality of joint terminals areformed in the elliptical openings of the dielectric layer. The jointterminals include ellipsoids. Thereafter, a second package is stacked onthe first package. The second package is electrically connected to thefirst package through the joint terminals.

In accordance with some alternative embodiments of the disclosure, apackage includes a die, a plurality of conductive structures, anencapsulant, and a redistribution structure. The die has an activesurface and a rear surface opposite to the active surface. Theconductive structures surround the die. The conductive structuresinclude elliptical columns. The encapsulant encapsulates the die and theconductive structures. The redistribution structure is over the activesurface of the die and the encapsulant. The redistribution structure iselectrically connected to the die and the conductive structures.

In accordance with some alternative embodiments of the disclosure, apackage-on-package (PoP) structure includes a first package and a secondpackage. The first package includes a die, a plurality of conductivestructures, an encapsulant, and a plurality of joint terminals. The diehas a rear surface. The conductive structures surround the die. Theconductive structures includes elliptical columns. The encapsulantencapsulates the die and the conductive structures. The joint terminalsare disposed on the conductive structures. The joint terminals includeellipsoids. An orientation of the joint terminals corresponds to anorientation of the conductive structures. The second package is on thefirst package. The second package is electrically connected to the firstpackage through the joint terminals.

In accordance with some alternative embodiments of the disclosure, amethod of manufacturing a package-on-package (PoP) structure includes atleast the following steps. A first package is formed. The method offorming the first package includes at least the following steps. A dieand a plurality of conductive structures are formed on a dielectriclayer. The die has a rear surface. The dielectric layer is over the rearsurface of the die. The conductive structures surround the die. Theconductive structures include elliptical columns. The die and theconductive structures are encapsulated by an encapsulant. The dielectriclayer is over the encapsulant. A plurality of elliptical openings isformed in the dielectric layer to expose the conductive structures. Aplurality of joint terminals is formed in the elliptical openings of thedielectric layer such that an orientation of the joint terminalscorresponds to an orientation of the conductive structures. The jointterminals include ellipsoids. Thereafter, a second package is stacked onthe first package. The second package is electrically connected to thefirst package through the joint terminals.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that thoseskilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the presentdisclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they mayreadily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifyingother processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/orachieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein.Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, andalterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A package, comprising: a die, having an activesurface and a rear surface opposite to the active surface; a pluralityof conductive structures surrounding the die, wherein the plurality ofconductive structures consists of elliptical columns havingsubstantially straight sidewalls; an encapsulant encapsulating the dieand the plurality of conductive structures, wherein the plurality ofconductive structures penetrate through the encapsulant; and aredistribution structure over the active surface of the die and theencapsulant, wherein the redistribution structure is electricallyconnected to the die and the plurality of conductive structures.
 2. Thepackage according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductivestructures encircles the die in a radial manner.
 3. The packageaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the elliptical columns has across-section parallel to the rear surface of the die, and a ratio of along-axis of the cross-section to a short-axis of the cross-section isgreater than 1 and less than
 8. 4. The package according to claim 1,wherein two opposite sides of the die are arranged along a firstdirection and another two opposite sides of the die are arranged along asecond direction perpendicular to the first direction, each of theelliptical columns has a cross-section parallel to the rear surface ofthe die, and a long-axis of the cross-section forms an included angle of0° to 90° with the first direction.
 5. The package according to claim 1,wherein two opposite first sides of the die are arranged along a firstdirection and two opposite second sides of the die are arranged along asecond direction perpendicular to the first direction, a cross-sectionof each elliptical column is parallel to the rear surface of the die andhas a long-axis, the long-axis of the cross-section of the ellipticalcolumn that is arranged by the first sides is parallel to the seconddirection, and the long-axis of the cross-section of the ellipticalcolumn that is arranged by the second sides is parallel to the firstdirection.
 6. A package-on-package (PoP) structure, comprising: a firstpackage, comprising: a die, having a rear surface; a plurality ofconductive structures surrounding the die, wherein the plurality ofconductive structures comprises elliptical columns; an encapsulantencapsulating the die and the plurality of conductive structures; and aplurality of joint terminals disposed on the plurality of conductivestructures, wherein the plurality of joint terminals comprisesellipsoids, and an orientation of the plurality of joint terminalscorresponds to an orientation of the plurality of conductive structures;and a second package on the first package, wherein the second package iselectrically connected to the first package through the plurality ofjoint terminals.
 7. The PoP structure according to claim 6, wherein theplurality of conductive structures encircles the die in a radial manner.8. The PoP structure according to claim 6, wherein each of theelliptical columns has a cross-section parallel to the rear surface ofthe die, and a ratio of a long-axis of the cross-section to a short-axisof the cross-section is greater than 1 and less than
 8. 9. The PoPstructure according to claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of jointterminals has a cross-section parallel to the rear surface of the die,and a ratio of a short-axis of the cross-section to a long-axis of thecross-section ranges between 0.3 and 0.9 or between 1.1 and
 3. 10. ThePoP structure according to claim 6, wherein two opposite first sides ofthe die are arranged along a first direction and another two oppositesecond sides of the die are arranged along a second directionperpendicular to the first direction, each of the elliptical columns hasa cross-section parallel to the rear surface of the die, and a long-axisof the cross-section forms an included angle of 0° to 90° with the firstdirection.
 11. The PoP structure according to claim 10, wherein each ofthe plurality of joint terminals has a cross-section parallel to therear surface of the die, and the cross-section has a long-axis thatforms an included angle of 0° to 90° with the first direction.
 12. ThePoP structure according to claim 11, wherein the long-axis of thecross-section of the elliptical column is aligned with the long-axis ofthe cross-section of the corresponding joint terminal.
 13. The PoPstructure according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of jointterminals are arranged into first joint terminal arrays, second jointterminal arrays, and third joint terminal arrays, the third jointterminal arrays are disposed by the first sides of the die, the secondjoint terminal arrays are disposed by the second sides of the die, thesecond joint terminal arrays and the third joint terminal arrays arelocated between the first joint terminal arrays.
 14. The PoP structureaccording to claim 13, a first included angle between the firstdirection and the long-axis of the cross-section of each joint terminalof the first joint terminal arrays is larger than a second includedangle between the first direction and the long-axis of the cross-sectionof each joint terminal of the second joint terminals arrays, a thirdincluded angle between the second direction and the long-axis of thecross-section of each joint terminal of the first joint terminal arraysis larger than fourth included angle between the second direction andthe long-axis of the cross-section of each joint terminal of the thirdjoint terminals arrays.
 15. The PoP structure according to claim 14,wherein the first included angle ranges between 0° and 80°, the secondincluded angle ranges between 0° and 45°, the third included angleranges between 0° and 80°, and the fourth included angle ranges between0° and 45°.
 16. The PoP structure according to claim 6, wherein twoopposite first sides of the die are arranged along a first direction andtwo opposite second sides of the die are arranged along a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction, a cross-section of eachelliptical column is parallel to the rear surface of the die and has along-axis, the long-axis of the cross-section of the elliptical columnthat is arranged by the first sides is parallel to the second direction,and the long-axis of the cross-section of the elliptical column that isarranged by the second sides is parallel to the first direction.
 17. ThePoP structure according to claim 16, wherein a cross-section of eachjoint terminal is parallel to the rear surface of the die and has along-axis, the long-axis of the cross-section of the joint terminal thatis arranged by the first sides is parallel to the second direction, andthe long-axis of the cross-section of the joint terminal that isarranged by the second sides is parallel to the first direction.
 18. Amethod of manufacturing a package-on-package (PoP) structure,comprising: forming a first package, comprising: forming a die and aplurality of conductive structures on a dielectric layer, wherein thedie has a rear surface, the dielectric layer is over the rear surface ofthe die, the plurality of conductive structures surround the die, andthe plurality of conductive structures comprises elliptical columns;encapsulating the die and the plurality of conductive structures by anencapsulant, wherein the dielectric layer is over the encapsulant;forming a plurality of elliptical openings in the dielectric layer toexpose the plurality of conductive structures; and forming a pluralityof joint terminals in the plurality of elliptical openings of thedielectric layer and on the plurality of conductive structures such thatan orientation of the plurality of joint terminals corresponds to anorientation of the plurality of conductive structures, wherein theplurality of joint terminals comprises ellipsoids; and stacking a secondpackage on the first package, wherein the second package is electricallyconnected to the first package through the plurality of joint terminals.